I woke up this morning and began looking back over the year 2023, and unfortunately, February 24, 2022, dipped in, reminding me of the full-scale military invasion launched on Ukraine that had been building up since 2014.
I shook my head in sorrow.
October 7, 2023, stunned me. I wasn’t expecting to see babies, children, women, and men being slaughtered. Again, I saw another full-scale war break out. Some people were dancing on the streets; all I could do was cry at the loss.
I shook my head in sorrow.
Taking life is happening all over the earth, no land exempted. What did you want for Christmas? An automatic rifle or maybe a semi-automatic AR 15 or AK 47?
I shake my head in sorrow.
Nobody seems to be listening, not seeing, nobody seems to care, and no one seems to seek the Giver of Life, who gives the substance we cannot buy. Life. We can’t reproduce it, and it is slowly being snuffed out by us. Babies, children, women, and men, young and old, are being abused and killed all around the world.
I shake my head in sorrow.
Strangely, guns are the most desired toys on Christmas lists. Where is the brotherly love?
I shake my head, and I cry.
I’ve discovered that mercy and grace are not available in the accumulation of things we purchase, or by buying as many weapons as we can afford, or under the governmental rule in the particular country we live in, but on the rock bed of hope. So, I lifted my head and looked toward Heaven.
LORD, WHAT DO I LOOK FOR? MY HOPE IS IN YOU.
I hope you have a safe crossing over into 2024.
Shalom shalom,
Pat Garcia
*Adaptation of Psalm 39:7, NIV 2011, ZONDERVAN By Pat Garcia
It is so very sad. Another reason why I do a silent gratitude list every morning. There are wonderful things happening in this world, i just need to search them out and marvel. Feliz Ano Nuevo, Pat.
My dearest P! There are many that do not understand the meaning of these happenings!
Your words are so very powerful and so well written. May God heightens your gift to the next level.
Love you my P!
Pat, thank you so much for your strong and honest words.
LORD, WHAT DO I LOOK FOR? MY HOPE IS IN YOU.
This is also my prayer.
I’m so thankful for mercy and grace.
Bug hug and be blessed
Sending hugs your way, Pat! There is so much wrong in the world, but we need to choose to be part of what is right. May our positive energy overpower the negative in the world.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Hello Pat! Thank you for saying it strongly and evocatively.
Pat, this is my declaration for 2024 also: MY HOPE IS IN YOU.
A dear American friend of mine has been ministering to children and families in Ukraine for 30 years. She paid her staff and then left the country during the first six months of the war. But in the fall she returned and has doubled her efforts to minister to urgent needs, sometimes at the threat of losing her own life. She’s very much like the Apostle Paul; I call her a modern-day Paulette.
HAPPY NEW YEAR and health to you, Pat, both in body and soul. ((( )))
Pat, you have put into words what many of us are hoping. I just read a headline in The Washington Post, that autocracy is growing in popularity all around the world. That, and the popularity of guns, will never make sense to me. The US has more guns than people – what a situation! I join you in wishing hope and peace for everyone. We can all help a bit by spreading love and kindness in our own ways. Shalom back to you, and here is the Gaelic word for peace (I looked it up) – Siochain. May 2024 be a wonderful year for all.
You’ve expressed what so many are feeling, Pat. I keep telling myself this, too, shall pass. I hope I’m right.
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12